High Potential Individual Dependant Visa

If you’ve recently moved to the UK on a High Potential Individual (HPI) Visa, or you’re thinking about applying, you may be wondering if your family can come with you. The (HPI) High Potential Individual Dependant Visa allows eligible partners and children to join you in the UK, so your move doesn’t have to mean time apart from loved ones.

This guide explains everything you need to know about applying as a dependant under the HPI visa route including who can apply, what documents are needed, how long the visa lasts, and what your family can do while in the UK.

Who Can Apply as a High Potential Individual Visa (HPI)?

The UK HPI visa route is designed for international graduates who’ve studied at a top global university and want to live and work in the UK without sponsorship. If you’ve secured this visa, your immediate family may be able to join you under the dependant route.

Eligible Family Members

Your family can apply to come with you to the UK if they are:

• Your husband, wife, or civil partner
• Your unmarried partner, provided you’ve lived together for at least two years
• Your children under 18, including biological, adopted, or stepchildren

Dependants must apply for their own visa, either alongside your main application or separately. Each person needs to meet the eligibility rules and provide the required evidence.

Requirements for HPI Visa Dependants

There are a few key rules that need to be met before your family can join you in the UK as dependants.

These include:

• You must hold valid leave under the High Potential Individual visa
• Your relationship with your partner must be genuine and ongoing for example, if you’re married or in a civil partnership, you’ll need to show your certificate. If you’re unmarried but have been living together, joint bills or tenancy agreements can help
• Children applying must be under 18 and financially dependent on you
• Children must not be married, in a civil partnership, or living independently
• You may need to show proof of financial support, especially if you’re applying from abroad or haven’t been in the UK long

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) wants to see clear evidence that the relationship is real and that family members rely on you as their main source of support.

How To Apply for a HPI Dependant Visa

Whether you’re applying for your family at the same time as your HPI visa or later, the process is fairly straightforward and handled online.

Application Steps

• Fill out the online application form for each dependant on the official UKVI website
• Book an appointment to submit biometric details (fingerprints and photo)
• Upload your supporting documents you may need to attend a visa application centre if applying from abroad
• Pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
• Wait for a decision from UKVI, which usually arrives within a few weeks

It’s important to double check that you’ve selected the right visa category for each person to avoid delays or rejection.

Required Documents

Each applicant will need to provide:

• A valid passport
• A marriage or civil partnership certificate, or documents showing two years of cohabitation (for unmarried partners)
• A birth certificate for children
• Evidence of your relationship, such as shared bills, joint bank statements or tenancy agreements
• Financial documents, like bank statements, if UKVI requires proof of funds

Make sure any documents not in English are officially translated.

Visa Fees, Length & Processing Times

When applying for the (HPI) High Potential Individual Dependant Visa, you’ll need to budget for both the application fee and the health surcharge.

Fees:

• Visa Application Fee: £880 per person
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year, per applicant

This fee gives your family full access to the NHS, just like a UK resident.

Read more about visa fees here

Visa Duration:

The dependant visa will match the length of the main HPI visa, which is usually 2 years. If you switch to another visa type during or after this time, your dependants will need to switch with you.

Processing Time:

• Standard applications usually take 3 to 8 weeks
• Priority services are available in some cases for a faster decision

You’ll receive updates by email, and in some cases, you can track the application online.

What Can HPI Dependants Do in the UK?

One of the biggest benefits of the HPI Dependant Visa is the freedom it offers.

Your partner or children can:

• Work in most jobs, including full-time or part-time roles, without employer sponsorship
• Study at any level, including school, college, or university
• Use NHS healthcare services after paying the IHS
• Travel freely in and out of the UK

They cannot:

• Claim public funds, including benefits
• Work as a professional sportsperson or coach unless they have special permission

This route is designed to keep families together while offering dependants the chance to build their own lives in the UK, whether that’s working, studying or simply adjusting to a new way of life.

Does the HPI Dependant Visa Lead to ILR?

No, the High Potential Individual visa route does not lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and the same applies to your dependants.

Time spent on this visa does not count towards the five year requirement for settlement. However, once you switch to a visa that does lead to settlement (such as a Skilled Worker visa), your dependants can switch too.

It’s important to keep this in mind if your long-term plan is to live in the UK permanently. The HPI route can be a good stepping stone, but not the final stop.

FAQs – High Potential Individual Dependants Visa

Can my family join me in the UK on the High Potential Individual Visa?

Yes. Your partner and children under 18 can apply to join you as dependants, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and provide the correct documents.

Can HPI dependants work in the UK?

Yes. One of the major benefits of this visa route is that dependants can work freely without needing sponsorship or job offers. They can also study or start a business.

Can I apply for a dependant visa after arriving in the UK on HPI?

Yes. Your family can apply at the same time as you or later, either from their home country or while inside the UK (depending on visa conditions).

Can HPI dependants settle in the UK?

Not directly. The HPI visa doesn’t lead to settlement, but you and your family can switch to a long-term visa route (like a Skilled Worker visa), which does allow ILR after five years.

If you’re coming to the UK under the High Potential Individual visa, the High Potential Individual Dependant Visa lets your family join you with minimal fuss. Your partner and children can live, work, and study in the UK during your stay, giving everyone the chance to settle in and make the most of life here.

While this visa doesn’t lead directly to settlement, it offers flexibility and freedom and with the right planning, it can be the first step toward building a longer term future in the UK.

Need Help Applying as a High Potential Individual Dependant?

Applying for a visa can feel like a lot to manage but you don’t have to do it alone. Our team at solicitors in Manchester is here to help.

We offer free immigration advice and straightforward support for families applying under the HPI route. Call us today on 0161 464 4140 or book your free initial consultation.

Let us help with the paperwork so you can focus on your family, career, and life in the UK.